Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 332 — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a oy up your hopes, you ma 22 oe - ---—---———- - wae ee er C—O ‘Because he lives in a crowded thorough- fare, and no man can approach his house without being in the open street,” said How- ard. ‘‘If the young lady is left with Lady Balcarras, it is only a question of time when the monster will at last penetrate the pavilion; and if he does, the shock will surely kill her,” ‘* Does she know of the visit of last night?” asked the general. ‘‘T make no doubt she does, though I have not seen her, general. You forbid me to do it, and I have obeyed the order, though sore- ly against my inclination.” * Then ‘7 did right, sir. To be frank with you, I have heard that, from Lady Bal- carras, that is in need of explanation, before you can be suffered to visit daughter of mine.” George Howard felt a thrill of pleasure. For the first time it seemed as if he was nearing the reason of the rough treatment he had received. ‘“May I ask you what is the nature of the accusation that has been made against me?’ he said. ~ The old general hesitated. ‘*T hardly know whether it is an accusa- tion or not; but Lady Balcarras says that you have no right to the title that you have in- herited.”” George started up. “And why not?’ he asked, in amaze- ment, The general went to the door and locked it before he answered. When he came back he seemed to be at a loss for words, and hesitated long before he spoke to the other, a faint flush marking his agitation. ‘*You are now the Duke of Norfolk, by right of the law, and a beggar at the same time. You may think that the reason I have said my daughter must give you up. But that is nothing. Were the only barrier be- tween you and Rose that of your poverty, thank Heaven, I have money and to spare, that should be spent freely, to give her hap- iness. But that is not all. You have a rother, who is now the richest man in Eng- land; but he no more resembles you than if he were a stranger. Lady Balcarras once lived near your father and mother, when they were in Scotland, and remembers when your brother was born. There is a scandal about it that I cannot tell you, but, till it is cleared away, there is no use in your perse- vering in your suit.” ‘‘Then the scandal does not concern me, but my brother. Is that the case, general?” ‘‘Not entirely. But I really cannot tell ou more. Go to Lady Balcarras and ask er. If she tells you the same as she told me, and you do not think that you ought to come back. ut I warn you that she will prove a more unkind person than I, and that you will find it hard to move her.” George Howard rose quietly. ‘‘T will go to her, general, and if she tells me that my brother is not my brother, that is the worst she can say.” Then the young man bowed low, a courtesy that was punctiliously returned by the old general, when Howard left the Tower and mounted the horse he had brought with him from Hampton Court, to ride back. His heart was full of bitterness at the fate which seemed to pursue him everywhere, and had separated him from Rose so long, for what he was convinced was nothing but the malicious gossip of an old woman. But all the same, as he rode, he kept say- ing to himself: ‘«This must be the last of it, and whatever she says cannot alter the fact that Rose loves me, abd that I can make her a duchess,” He was beginning at last to feel the advan- tage which he had gained, in spite of his kinsman’s malicious will. Arrived at the palace, he went at once to call on Lady Balcarras. He was told that my lady was at home, and when he sent up his name, as plain Mr. Howard, the servant took it without any re- mark. He was ushered into the little drawing- room, and had to wait there for a length of time that had its influenee in making him feel angry and impatient with the old lady. He sat by the window, and looking out, saw Rose Reid in the gardens of the palace, with the most freezing politeness, as she asked: = _— -< - _ ——— Spring-Heel Jack. with a party of ladies, accompanied by sev- | eral officers of the guards and some Civilians, that he recognized as courtiers. Lady Balearras spoke the last words with It made him long to go out and speak to a spiteful emphasis that there was no the young lady, but he refrained from doing | mistake about. The old lady was in grim so, and rose from his seat, so that he might | earnest. not be tormented by the sight any more Howard kept his temper. while he waited for the old lady. |. “You have a great deal of information At last she came in, and bowed to him ; for one who does not belong to our family,” | he said sarcastically. ‘‘Perhaps you will | not object to saying why you think this?” ‘‘T certainly shall not,” was the un- compromising reply. ‘‘ The information is entirely at your service.” — a oe a ee the name of Handsome Jack in former times, you are not.” ‘To what am I indebted for the honor of | this visit, duke?” He noticed that she gave him his title, but in a way that showed that she did not re- spect it much. Kather, there was an accent of quiet scorn in the title, which galled him. ‘*T have not assumed the title of duke, Lady Balcarras,” he said quietly; ‘‘ and until I do, | hope my friends will not greet me by any name but that I have always worn.” The old lady pursed up her lips. “That is very proper, 1 suppose; but if uke of Norfolk, may IL ask CHAPTER XXXII, LADY BALCARRAS'S REVELATIONS, GEORGE Howarp remained silently wait- tng for the words the old lady might choose to vouchsafe to him; and she, on her part, did not seem to be in a hurry to relieve his suspense. At last he said: ‘‘T am waiting, madam, for what you are pleased to say. I presume you intend to say it,”’ Lady Balcarras gave a slight sigh. She had been looking at the young man, and could not but see that he was handsome and had a look on his face that showed his unhappiness. ‘*T hardly know, sir,” she began, ‘‘ whether I ought to inflict pain upon you—” ‘« Be pleased to speak, then, madam. There is no pain, to me, like the pain of suspense.” ‘‘Then I will speak. r. Howard, when your father was a young man, he was quar- tered at the Scotch town of Aberfeldie, where I was brought up; and we met frequently at the balls and parties, attended by the officers of his regiment. He even distinguished me by some attentions beyond other ladies, and there were not wanting those who said that Handsome Jack Howard would—well, there is no need of going into that. I, for my art, did not feel toward your father, that ove and affection which should subsist be- tween a woman and the man into whose charge she is to commit her whole life.” And Lady Balcarras sighed again, with the air Of a martyr. ‘* Your ladyship will please remember that I am in a great state of anxiety,” said George coldly; ‘‘and spare me the recital of your little passages with my father.” The sneer was palpable, and the old lady’s er cheeks reddened spitefully as she said : ‘“‘T will not trouble you, sir. The story is a brief one, and I will make it as brief as I can. Among the other ladies of Aberfeldie was the one who subsequently became Cap- tain Howard’s wife. She was richer than I —an heiress, in fact, and her father a trades- man—did not like the attentions of this handsome, but—you will excuse me for say- ing it, sir—graceless young soldier. Inthose days, sir, we did not look on tradesmen as entitled to be in the society of ladies and gentlemen, and had the idea that the match would be a good‘ thing for Janet Mackay, as putting her into a society that her father’s position, in spite of his wealth, did not en- title her to enter. Howard interrupted her recital ‘again, as she stopped and seemed to be musing. ‘* Considering that you are aya my mother, Lady Balcarras,” he said, with mark- ed emphasis, ‘‘and that these things must have happened long ago, 1 would suggest that you spare me as many comments as pos- you are not the who you are, then?” ‘‘George Howard, the same as I was yes- terday and the day before, madam.” ‘‘Very well, then, Mr. Howard,” (with a strong emphasis on the name) ‘‘ may I ask to what am | indebted for this visit?” ‘*Certainly, madam. 1 have just come from General Reid, who informs me that you have done me the honor to throw doubt on me, in some way. The general told me that you could afford me some information on the subject of why he has forbidden his daughter to speak to me any more.” The old lady colored slightly, and her eyes had an angry gleam, as she retorted: ‘*General Reid could have told you all I told him, with perfect propriety, sir.’’ *‘He did not, madam; but referred me to you. I hope that you are not afraid or ashamed to tell me the stories that you have told about me.”’ Lady Balcarras colored deeply through a4 wrinkles on her cheeks, as she retort- ed: ‘‘T never said anything yet that I was ashamed to repeat, sir. 1 told the general that you were not a fit person for his daugh- ter to associate with, and I tell you the same,” And why not, madam?” ‘*If you cannot tell that yourself, sir, I am able to furnish the information, but not till you have avowed yourself ignorant of the stain on your name.,”’ ‘*T am ignorant of any stain on my name, madam, save that which you have been pleased to put there by speaking about me to others,”’ ‘Then listen, sir.” The old lady was in earnest now, and — face was very severe as she looked at 1im. ‘**T told General Reid, sir, that you were a young man of vicious habits, who makes his companions with the lowest people to be found in London, frequently going to prize- fights and such like entertainments, and that you had been seen to engage in contests with the very persons who make their living by such things. I have been told that you were seen, not a week ago, at one of these low places.” ‘What places, madam?” ‘* | believe they called it the Fives Court— I am not familiar with the names of the places.” ‘‘| have never been there, madam, save once, and that was a yearago. The person | sible.’ who gave you the information must have! The old lady smiled as she saw his irrita- mistaken my brother for me.” tion. ‘Thank you for the advice, sir, In my youth, it was not thought polite for a gen- tleman to interrupt a lady, or to criticise what she said. At all events, I must tell my story in my Own Way, and you are free to depart, if it be not to your taste,” eorge threw himself back in his chair, with an air of resignation, and the old lady went on: ‘‘Atall events there wasa runaway match, and Janet became the honorable Mrs, How- The old lady curled her lip. “That is possible, of course; but that is not the worst of it. You have spoken of. your brother. What brother do you mean?” ‘‘T mean Oliver Howard, madam.” ‘And are you sure that he # your brother?” The question came to him with sudden directness, and staggered him. ‘“What reason have you for asking that question, madam?” he asked. ‘‘The general told. me that you were acquainted with | ard. In Scotland, you know, such matches some scandal in regard to his birth, Is that | are common; but they are not thought re- true?” —} spectable, and when the man is a poor for- . ** There is no scandal about the matter. | I | tune-hunter, and the girla rich, but vulgar have knowledge cf the fact that, if he be | person—no, you need not get up from your the son of Captain Howard, who went by Chair, for | am not going to say anything ICO com <SGO (E .